Warning that tabloid stories "by their very nature are usually linked to a scandal," the BOA's "Athletes' Guide to Dealing With the Media" additionally says that generally, a tabloid reporter "does not care if he/she treads on any toes to find a lead." Of course, complete silence isn't necessarily the best strategy either:

"If you're not willing to give your views then someone may make up your views for you."

People will be assigned to watch what their athletes are posting on social networking sites. Criticizing officials is on the banned list as well as obscene language.

"They know the parameters," said David Faulkner, the British hockey team's performance director. "If they break the rules, they will come in for disciplinary action."

Of course, one might argue that having tweet monitors is equally as Big-Brother-esque as tabloid media hounding the athletes' every move. Encouraging them to exercise caution, though, is just common sense - so much so that no less than Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, expressly recommends that athletes "think first, tweet later."